REISTERSTOWN, Md. (March 19, 2018) — A series of winter storms is expected to bring frozen precipitation to parts of Maryland, starting tonight and continuing through Wednesday. Timing, temperature and the exact track of each of the systems is still somewhat uncertain, but residents should prepare now for possible travel delays. The most likely snow accumulations in northern and central Maryland are expected to occur overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning, possibly affecting rush hour traffic.

“This winter storm is extremely unpredictable, so preparedness is key,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Over the next few days, I urge Marylanders to closely follow current weather forecasts, use common sense, and avoid travel if possible during any dangerous conditions.”

Said Russell Strickland, executive director of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA): “Don’t underestimate this storm because Tuesday is the first day of spring. We are looking at several days of precipitation with temperatures close to freezing. Travel by car or foot could be dangerous.”

MEMA is coordinating conference calls with the four National Weather Service Offices that serve the state, along with key state agencies and local emergency managers. The agency stands ready to mobilize resources in support of local agencies as needed.

Because there is still uncertainty about effects of these systems, residents should follow trusted weather sources and be prepared to adjust travel contact information.as needed. Residents in different areas of Maryland may face different effects from this weather system.

Additionally, Maryland residents should consider taking the following actions:

Montana (March 16, 2018) – The Salvation Army Emergency Services was contacted by Montana’s Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (MTVOAD) to provide assistance following heavy snowfalls that greatly impacted the tribal regions of Montana. Food, warming supplies and hay for livestock were identified as items of urgent need. In partnership with the Montana Department of Agriculture, The Salvation Army contributed $5,000.00 in [READ MORE]

Miami-Dade County, FL - Within hours, The Salvation Army Miami-Dade disaster services team arrived at the Florida International University Bridge Collapse to serve first responders. Mr. Raymond Boyd, local disaster services coordinator began distributing water, coffee, and snacks to responders who had been on the scene since 2:30 pm. A newly constructed pedestrian bridge collapsed onto vehicles that were stopped at a traffic light resulting in multiple fatalities. [READ MORE]

Severe Tropical Storm Eliakim made landfall in the Masoala Peninsula on 16 March at 10 a.m. local time. The weather system is expected to make a second landfall in the district of Mananara Nord in the afternoon of 16 March.
Eliakim is expected to bring intense rainfall, which could trigger widespread and lifethreatening flooding and mudslides in the coming days.
Locations on high alert (red) for major flooding include the SAVA, Analanjirofo, Sofia and Alaotra Mangoro regions. Evacuations are ongoing in areas expected to be hardest hit. (OCHA, 16 Mar 2018)

San Antonio, Texas (March. 9, 2018) – The Salvation Army San Antonio Area Command Emergency Disaster Services team has spent three days providing food, drinks and support to law enforcement agencies working the scene of a police standoff.
The Salvation Army deployed its mobile feeding unit to the scene in Northwest San Antonio on Wednesday afternoon where they began providing snacks, water, coffee and energy drinks to officers from agencies including the Bexar [READ MORE]

March 7, 2018 (Little Rock) The Salvation Army of Central Arkansas is responding to the scene of flooding caused by a breached levee in Humnoke, Arkansas, located in Lonoke County. The mobile feeding unit (canteen) will be serving dinner at 12295 US Hwy 65 East, Humnoke, AR 72072.
The Salvation Army dispatched the canteen to provide food and hydration to both first responders and those affected by the flooding. A team of Salvation Army officers trained in [READ MORE]

Buffalo, NY – The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Team based in Buffalo, NY celebrates their 75th year of service to the community and first responders in Buffalo in 2018. What started in 1943 with officers and soldiers serving coffee and water to firefighters at fire scenes has grown into a strong relationship with the City of Buffalo and Erie County Emergency Service today. Our EDS Team is automatically dispatched [READ MORE]

Ogdensburg, NY - The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Team based in Ogdensburg, NY responded to a multi alarm commercial fire in the City on Tuesday morning. The team provided canteen and hydration services to approximately 30 firefighters who were involved in fighting this fire, which destroyed a local auto garage.
“We are grateful to the Ogdensburg EDS Team for their continued service to [READ MORE]

In response to the damaging winds resulting in power outages, downed trees, and dangerous travel conditions across the state due to Winter Storm Riley, Governor Larry Hogan has declared a State of Emergency.

The executive order will allow the state to efficiently coordinate support and provide additional assistance to local jurisdictions. Dangerous conditions may continue throughout the weekend.

Here is information on what a state of emergency means.

Not all states of emergency are the same. Each state of emergency is different and can change depending on the severity of the event or emergency. Be sure to check with your local news and with MEMA for updated information related to states of emergency.

A state of emergency is declared in order to allow Maryland to coordinate and request emergency resources and support. A state of emergency allows the Governor to access certain resources in order to increase the State’s response.

A state of emergency is a good indicator that residents should remain alert and follow officials’ orders, news stations, and weather forecasts in order to be informed of the situation. In this particular case, residents are being advised that they should prepare for a significant winter storm and that motorists should avoid nonessential travel after the snow begins to fall. Here is additional information about this state of emergency:

Will schools be closed?

States of Emergencies typically do not mandate school closures. It usually is the local school district’s decision to stay open or to close.

Will stores and businesses be open?

This state of emergency does not require employers to close. We ask that all employers consider employee safety at all times.

Can I drive on the roads?

Motorists are not prohibited from driving on the roads at this time. Use common sense–if you must drive and cannot change your plans, please do so carefully. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Let family or friends know your route and expected arrival time.

DALTON, GA – The Salvation Army deployed a mobile feeding unit to the Dalton Convention Center to provide hydration and emotional and spiritual aid to first responders, students and family members affected after a high school teacher barricaded himself in a classroom and fired a shot through a window earlier this week.
The students were evacuated to the Dalton Convention Center as part of the high school’s active shooter emergency plan.
“Immediately [READ MORE]

REISTERSTOWN, Md. (March 1, 2018) — The storm system that will affect the entire state of Maryland beginning Thursday evening is expected to bring extreme wind and rain across Maryland. The most dangerous conditions are forecast to begin by 6am Friday morning, with gusty winds continuing throughout the weekend.

“I urge all Marylanders to take this severe weather very seriously and prepare now,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “These wind speeds have the potential of causing power outages and creating hazardous conditions for travel and being outdoors starting Friday morning. Be sure to check on your family, friends, and neighbors so that we all are prepared for this rare and potentially very dangerous weather event.”

Wind gusts of up to 70 or more miles per hour are forecast for tomorrow morning and will push through into the weekend according the National Weather Service. The Maryland Emergency Management Agency continues to actively monitor this storm and coordinate with state and local partners to ensure readiness.

“Residents need to prepare for this system now. These forecasted wind gusts are very serious,” said MEMA Executive Director Russ Strickland. “Take the time now to go out and secure all loose objects outside that could blow away. Keep devices fully charged, before the wind starts blowing, in case the power goes. If at all possible, do not go out during the height of the storm.”

In addition to the high winds, accumulating snow is possible in western Maryland Thursday night into Friday. Other parts of western and central Maryland can expect some frozen precipitation to mix with the rain for part of the storm, but the wind is expected to present the greatest danger. Additionally, tidal flooding is possible along the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean on both Friday and Saturday. The National Weather Service is also predicting severe beach erosion for areas of the Eastern Shore and dangerous marine conditions.

Residents can take the following actions to prepare for high winds and related hazards:

Check on relatives, neighbors, and friends if possible, especially those who might be seriously affected by a power outage.

Avoid traveling early in the morning during the height of the storm. Let family and friends know of your destination, route, and expected arrival time.

Know how to contact your electric supplier if the power goes out. For a list of power company contacts or to keep track of outages in Maryland, visit mema.maryland.gov. Put their phone number in your contact list and save it.

Power Outages can be monitored here: http://mema.maryland.gov/Pages/PowerOutagesData.aspx

If you use a generator during a power outage, make sure to follow all safety recommendations and never run a generator inside a building or near windows and vents.

Make sure not to leave pets outside during the storm.

For more preparedness information, visit mema.maryland.gov or ready.gov.

Residents Should Prepare Now for Strong Winds Beginning TonightMEMA Monitoring Storm System that will Bring Rain, High Winds, Possible Power Outages
REISTERSTOWN, Md. (March 1, 2018) – Marylanders should prepare now for a storm front that is expected to bring rain and possibly damaging winds across much of the state later tonight through Saturday. The National Weather Service is predicting wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour. The Maryland Emergency Management Agency is actively monitoring this storm and coordinating with state and local partners to ensure readiness.

“This storm has the potential to knock down trees, cause extended power outages, and cause dangerous debris,” said MEMA Executive Director Russ Strickland. “Make sure to keep devices fully charged in case the power goes out and try to secure any loose objects around your property. If at all possible, do not go out during the height of the storm.”

Accumulating snow is possible in extreme western Maryland Thursday night into Friday. Other parts of western and central Maryland can expect some frozen precipitation to mix with the rain for part of the storm, but the wind is expected to present the greatest danger. Additionally, tidal flooding is possible along the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean on both Friday and Saturday. The National Weather Service is also predicting severe beach erosion for areas of the Eastern Shore and dangerous marine conditions.

Residents can take the following actions to prepare for high winds and related hazards:

Check on relatives, neighbors, and friends if possible, especially those who might be seriously affected by a power outage.

If you must be out during the storm, let family and friends know of your destination, route, and expected arrival time.

Know how to contact your electric supplier if the power goes out. For a list of power company contacts or to keep track of outages in Maryland, visit mema.maryland.gov.

If you do not already have one, consider using a car charger to keep devices charged if you lose power for a long time.

If you use a generator during a power outage, make sure to follow all safety recommendations and never run a generator inside a building or near windows and vents.

London, 28 February 2018/IHQ/ – AN estimated 10,000 households have been affected by a damaging earthquake which has caused devastation in the Hela and Southern Highlands provinces of central Papua New Guinea. The 7.5-magnitude quake, which shook the region in the early hours of Monday 26 February, has claimed at least 16 lives and injured 300 people. Roads and airstrips have been severely affected, making travel in and around the remote region even more difficult than usual. Communications [READ MORE]

A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck on 26 February (25 February UTC), with its epicentre in Nipa-Kutubu district, Southern Highlands province. The affected area is sparsely populated, with a dispersed population living in remote, rural communities. There are no major urban areas in the immediate vicinity although there is a gas pipeline in the area. There were some minor landslides following the earthquake, but as of 26 February no damage to infrastructure or homes has been reported. The National Disaster Centre is assessing the situation. (OCHA, 26 Feb 2018)

At 15.17 UTC on 26 February 2018, a major aftershock with a magnitude of 6.2 M occurred in the Southern Highlands province close to the location of the 7.5 M earthquake of 25 February. According to media, as of 27 February, at least 30 people have been killed and 300 have been injured, several houses have been buried due to landslides in the worst affected areas of Hela and Southern Highlands provinces. The search and rescue operations are still ongoing and the death toll is expected to rise. For the time being local authorities have not request international support. (ECHO, 27 Feb 2018)

Louisville, Kentucky — Not expected to crest until late Monday or early Tuesday, rising water is already forcing evacuations up and down the Ohio River Valley. This month’s extensive rains could bring the highest Ohio River levels since the devastating flood of 1997 – and the second highest in more than 50 years.
Led by Bo Sells, Divisional Disaster Services Director, for The Salvation Army’s [READ MORE]

On 23 February 2018, the Uganda Ministry of Health notified WHO of an outbreak of cholera in Kyangwali refugee settlement, located in Hoima district in the western part of the country. The outbreak started on 15 February 2018 when the index case, a 60-year-old man from Sebigoro Landing Site, developed acute watery diarrhoea and vomiting.
On the same day (15 February 2018), two children – one from a refugee reception centre and the other from a new refugee settlement – died of acute watery diarrhoea and severe dehydration. Four stool specimens collected from the initial cases were shipped to the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) in Kampala. Culture test results released on 19 February 2018 showed that two of the specimens isolated Vibrio cholerae O1 serotype Inaba, confirming the outbreak. Additional two specimens subsequently tested positive.
As of 23 February 2018, a total of 700 suspected cholera cases, including 27 deaths (case fatality rate 3.9%) were reported. The affected population are mostly newly arrived refugees and a few members of the host community. The most affected places are a landing site at the shores of Lake Albert and new refugee settlements in the neighbourhood. (WHO, 23 Feb 2018)

The Salvation Army’s Swoneky Division recently organized a presentation at the Southeast Ohio Emergency Management Association meeting. The regional meeting was organized to hear more about The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services. The request from directors was to communicate our disaster competencies, experiences, and to create a space for dialog.
The ongoing Ohio River flooding event currently impacting the [READ MORE]